Physical therapy devices

ABSTRACT

Physical therapy devices, including vertically extending rear support structures, arm pivots supported by rear support structures at positions vertically spaced from supporting surfaces, arms pivotally supported by the arm pivots, seats resting on the arms at distances selected to apply portions of users&#39; bodyweights the arms when the user is seated in the seat, foot rests supported above supporting surfaces at heights selected to support a forward portion of the user&#39;s foot when the user is seated in the seat, and knee saddles attached to the arms. In some examples, the knee saddles including a knee support positioned at a height selected to rest on the user&#39;s knee when seated in the seat. In some examples, the arms extend horizontally from a pivot end to a swing end distal the arm pivot. Some examples may additionally or alternatively include adjustably positioned arm pivots. Some examples may include biasing members.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to physical therapy devicesconfigured to stretch and exercise users' soleus muscles. In particular,physical therapy devices enabling physical therapy exercises andtechniques that may reduce the frequency with which users suffer fromleg cramps or other infirmities of the leg are described.

Many conventional physical therapy and exercise devices do notadequately impact soleus muscles in a therapeutic manner that may reduceleg cramps. Many conventional devices, rather, are designed to providehigh impact strength training and lack many features that are conduciveto satisfactory physical therapy operation. For example, some existingexercise devices seat users on seats placed on weighted arms and areconfigured for users to use their legs to drive the weighted end of thearm around pivots supported proximate the users' seats. These devicesare configured, however, to direct users' work to lift weightspositioned on the arm distal the user and the pivot. While suchconfigurations may be well suited for high-impact strength training,they are ill-suited to performing physical therapy on users' soleusmuscles to prevent leg cramps. Whereas strength training often supportlarge (though often imprecise) amounts of weight to increase the impactof users' exercises, physical therapy devices must often supportsmaller, more finely tuned amounts of weight. Additionally oralternatively, physical therapy devices often require adjustability ofsuch lower quantities of weight, as minute weight differences may leadto significantly different therapeutic results.

For example, many conventional designs lack adequate adjustability toallow them to ergonomically support user of various shapes and sizes insatisfactory positions for physical therapy techniques. In particular,many designs lack adjustable seats that allow users to apply selectedportions of users' bodyweight to exercises. Satisfactory physicaltherapy operations may often require more precise weight adjustments,which many conventional devices are unable to accommodate, in partbecause of this lack of an adjustable seat position. Further, these manydevices lack many other features adjust the devices to satisfactorilysupport users in desired positions for therapy purposes. As a result,many existing devices do not provide satisfactory adjustability forphysical therapy applications.

Further, many conventional strength-training designs lack any biasingfeatures that reduce the load that users drive during use. Becausephysical therapy exercises are often more effective with low-impactexercises, many existing devices that do not implement anyimpact-reducing measures may leave them ill-suited for therapeuticoperation. For example, heavier individuals may, through theirbodyweight alone, apply too great of a load on conventional devices forthem to effectively operate as a physical therapy device. As a result,many conventional devices are further hampered with regard to physicaltherapy operation.

Because strength-training devices are directed primarily toward musclestrengthening, they are ill-suited for physical therapy purposes.Rather, there exists a need for leg muscle lengthening or stretchingdevices that apply appropriate loads to exercises to restore flexibilityand use muscle fiber recruitment to restore normal soleus musclefunction.

Thus, there exists a need for physical therapy devices that improve uponand advance the design of known physical therapy and exercise devices.Examples of new and useful physical therapy devices relevant to theneeds existing in the field are discussed below.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to physical therapy devices,including vertically extending rear support structures, arm pivotssupported by rear support structures at positions vertically spaced fromsupporting surfaces, arms pivotally supported by the arm pivots, seatsresting on the arms at distances selected to apply portions of users'bodyweights the arms when the user is seated in the seat, foot restssupported above supporting surfaces at heights selected to support aforward portion of the user's foot when the user is seated in the seat,and knee saddles attached to the arms. In some examples, the kneesaddles including a knee support positioned at a height selected to reston the user's knee when seated in the seat. In some examples, the armsextend horizontally from a pivot end to a swing end distal the armpivot. Some examples may additionally or alternatively includeadjustably positioned arm pivots. Some examples may include biasingmembers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a physical therapydevice.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a user manipulating the physicaltherapy device illustrated in FIG. 1 to move an arm between a loweredconfiguration shown in solid lines and a raised configuration shown inphantom lines.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of an arm and a seat interface shown inFIG. 1 illustrating the seat interface in a rearward seat position insolid lines and in a forward seat position in phantom lines.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the physical therapy device illustratedin FIG. 1 focusing on a knee saddle interface of the physical therapydevice.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the physical therapy device shown inFIG. 1 focusing on a locking pin structure of the physical therapydevice in a locked position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the physical therapy device shown inFIG. 1 focusing on the locking pin structure shown in FIG. 5 in anunlocked position.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the physical therapy device shown inFIG. 1 focusing on a foot rest interface of the physical therapy devicesliding between a rearward position in solid lines to a forward positionin phantom lines.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second example of a physical therapydevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed diode cell modules will become better understood throughreview of the following detailed description in conjunction with thefigures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples ofthe various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, andaltered without departing from the scope of the inventions describedherein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications anddesign considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and everycontemplated variation is not individually described in the followingdetailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various diodecell modules are provided. Related features in the examples may beidentical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake ofbrevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in eachexample. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the readerthat the feature with a related feature name may be similar to therelated feature in an example explained previously. Features specific toa given example will be described in that particular example. The readershould understand that a given feature need not be the same or similarto the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure orexample.

As FIG. 1 illustrates, device 100 includes a rear support structure 105,a lower bar 115, an arm pivot 120, an arm 130, a seat 150, a foot rest177, a post 180, a knee saddle 185, and a front support structure 195.

In some examples, users may perform leg-lifting exercises by sitting inseat 150 with their knees engaged with knee saddle 185. FIG. 2illustrates such an example, wherein a user 102 drives arm 130 upwardfrom a lowered configuration shown in solid lines to a raisedconfiguration shown in phantom lines. As FIG. 2 shows, user 102accomplishes this by applying a driving force to foot rest 177 with thefronts of her feet resting on foot rest 177. Typically, this drivingforce opposes the downward force applied to arm 130 by user 102's weightin seat 150. As FIG. 2 illustrates, device 100 does not include anyadditional weight or other load to be lifted by users during operation,such as is included in many conventional leg-lifting devices, and israther configured for user only to lift the portion of her weightapplied to arm via seat 150. Indeed, adding any additional load orweight would often render device 100 unsuitable for physical therapyapplications while making the device more cumbersome and difficult tooperate. As a result, this disclosure specifically considers the benefitof arms without additional weight or weighted elements, including thosepositioned at the arms' ends, such as those disclosed. Contrasted fromstrength-training devices directed primarily toward musclestrengthening, device 100 serves as an example leg muscle lengthening orstretching, rather than strengthening, device that applies a portion ofuser's body weight to exercises. This allows users to use device 100restore flexibility and use muscle fiber recruitment to restore normalsoleus muscle function.

As FIGS. 2-6 show, device 100 includes several adjustable features thatallow device 100 to be used effectively for physical therapyapplications. Device 100, like some conventional leg-lifting exercisedevices, allows users to drive a load to impact users' leg calf muscles;in particular, device 100 may focus impact on users' soleus muscles.Device 100, however, includes many features that provide adjustability,as will be discussed in greater detail below. This adjustability allowsusers to adjust device 100 to ergonomically support users in positionsthat increase device 100's effectiveness in performing physical therapyon users' legs. Additionally or alternatively, device 100 may allowusers to more finely tune the amount of weight operated on by usersduring exercises, thereby allowing users to adjust the impact of device100's use to a level that is desirable for physical therapy purposes.This may be accomplished, for example, by adjusting the position of seat150) on arm 130, thereby adjusting the amount of users' weight appliedto arm 131). By adjusting the position of seat 150, users may configurearm 130 may define a therapeutic resistance to be supported by the calfmuscles, such as users' soleus muscles, of one or both of users' lowerlegs when users are seated in the seat. This therapeutic resistance mayconsist of a combination of the selected portion of the user'sbodyweight, the weight of at least a portion of the arm, and the weightof the knee saddle. Therapeutic resistances are often less thanresistances associated with strength training exercises; as a result,device 100 does not include any heavy or unwieldy supports foradditional weight, which, if included, would make device 100 less suitedfor therapeutic operation.

As FIG. 1 illustrates, rear support structure 105 extends verticallyfrom a support surface 101. As FIG. 1 shows, rear support structure 105includes a first rear support column 107 and a second rear supportcolumn 109. As FIG. 1 shows, rear support structure 105 is configured torotatably support arm pivot 120 at position vertically spaced fromsupport surface 101. In particular, arm 130 is rotatably supported, neara pivot end 132, at arm pivot 120 between first rear support column 107and second rear support column 109 such that arm 130 is able to movethrough the space between the rear support columns as it rotates aboutarm pivot 120.

As FIG. 1 illustrates, front support structure 195 extends vertically,substantially parallel to first rear support column 107 and second rearsupport column 109, proximate a swing end 134 of arm 130. As FIG. 5illustrates, front support structure 195 defines an arm locking bore 197distal support surface 101. Arm locking bore 197 opens toward and issubstantially aligned with arm pivot 120, allowing arm 130 to restsubstantially flat between rear support structure 105 and front supportstructure 195 when in a locked configuration.

As FIG. 2 shows, arm pivot 120 is supported by rear support structure105 at a position vertically spaced from support surface 101. As FIG. 1shows, arm pivot 120 includes an arm pivot pin 122 routed through thefirst rear support column 107 and second rear support column 109. AsFIG. 1 shows, arm pivot pin 122 is routed through arm 130 to pivotallysupport arm 130 in the space between first rear support column 107 andsecond rear support column 109. This allows arm 130) to swing about armpivot 120 and allows swing end 134 to move between the loweredconfiguration shown in FIG. 2 in solid lines and the raisedconfiguration shown in FIG. 2 in phantom lines.

As FIG. 2 shows, arm 130 extends from pivot end 132 proximate arm pivot120 to swing end 134 distal arm pivot 120 and pivot end 132. As FIG. 2shows, arm 130 includes a plurality of seat positioning bores 136 spacedalong its length. As FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate, arm 130 defines a lockingpin bore 138 and a locking pin access opening 139 and includes a lockingpin structure 140).

Arm 130 directs users' weight to push swing end 134 downward when theyare seated in seat 150 and locking pin structure 140 is in an unlockedconfiguration. Users may, in an example physical therapy technique, usetheir legs to drive swing end 134 upward to counteract the weightpushing swing end 134 downward. As previously mentioned, this techniquemay impact users' soleus muscles and may reduce the occurrence of legcramps if the level of impact is appropriately set. Although FIG. 2illustrates an example range of motion appropriate for an example use ofdevice 100, arm 130 is not specifically limited to the range of motionillustrated in FIG. 2.

As FIGS. 5 and 6 show, locking pin access opening 139 is positioned onthe top of arm 130, extending from an unlocked notch 136 to a lockednotch 137. As FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate, locking pin bore 138 ispositioned on the swing end 134 of arm 130 opening toward front supportstructure 195 and is aligned with arm locking bore 197 when arm 130 issubstantially horizontal.

As FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate, locking pin structure 140 is positionedwithin arm 130's interior. Locking pin structure 140 includes anaccessible portion 141 and a forward portion 142. As FIG. 5 shows,forward portion 142 is a rigid, vertically supported cylindricalstructure with sufficient integrity and support arm 130 upright with auser seated in seat 150. Forward portion 142, along with the remainderof the lower, cylindrical portion of locking pin structure 140), may berouted through two supports aligned with locking pin bore 138 to provideadditional support. Accessible portion 141 is rigidly attached toforward portion 142, allowing users to use accessible portion 141 tomove forward portion 142 between the locked position shown in FIG. 5 andthe unlocked position shown in FIG. 6.

For example, FIG. 5 illustrates locking pin structure 140 in a lockedconfiguration, wherein forward portion 142 is inserted through lockingpin bore 138 and arm locking bore 197 to front support structure 195'sinterior. As FIG. 5 shows, accessible portion 141 is positioned inlocked notch 137 to retain locking pin structure 140 in the lockedconfiguration. FIG. 6 illustrates locking pin structure 144) in anunlocked configuration, wherein forward portion 142 is fully recessedwithin arm 130. A user may manipulate locking pin structure 140 betweena locked and unlocked position by manipulating accessible portion 141between locked notch 137 and unlocked notch 136. For example, a user maymove locking pin structure 140 from a locked to an unlocked position byrotating accessible portion 141 from locked notch 137 to a slidingportion 149 of locking pin access opening 139 and then slidingaccessible portion 141 toward unlocked notch 136. To keep locking pinstructure 140 in an unlocked position, accessible portion 141 may berotated into unlocked notch 136. Locking pin structure 140 may besimilarly rotated and slid from unlocked notch 136 to locked notch 137.

As FIG. 2 shows, seat 150 is slidingly supported on arm 130. As FIG. 2illustrates, seat 150 includes a seat interface 157 and a cushion 152.As FIG. 2 shows, seat 150 may slide between a plurality of seatpositions along the length of arm 130. For example, FIG. 2 illustratesseat 150 in a rearward seat position in solid lines and in a forwardseat position in phantom lines. Seat 150 is configured to seat a user inposition to operate device 100. Further, seat 150 may be carefullypositioned on arm 130 to adjust the amount of force a user's weightapplies to swing end 134.

Seat 150 is positioned at a distance selected to apply a portion of auser's bodyweight to the swing end of the arm when the user is seated inthe seat. The amount of force required for a user to drive arm 130 is atleast partially dependent on the distance between seat 150 and arm pivot120. For example, users may increase the portion of their weight appliedto drive arm 130 by further spacing seat 150 from arm pivot 120. Becauseseat 150's position on arm 130 is adjustable, users may adjust seat 150to adjust the level of impact of physical therapy techniques performedusing device 100. This, combined with arm 130's lightweight designrelative those of many leg-lifting strength training devices, affordsgreater precision and flexibility in adjusting the level of impactcompared to many) conventional leg-lifting devices.

As FIG. 3 illustrates, seat 150 is configured to slide along arm 130 toa plurality of seat positions. Each seat position represents a positionwhere seat 150 may be locked in position spaced a selected distance fromarm pivot 120. By adjusting the distance between seat 150 and arm 130,users may adjust the amount of force applied to swing end 134 of arm130. This allows users to adjust the level of impact placed on theirsoleus muscles when performing physical therapy techniques. By carefullyadjusting the level of impact in this manner, users are able toprecisely tune device 100 specifically for physical therapy activities.

Further, adjusting seat 150 may allow users to configure device 100)with a seating position that is ergonomically appropriate for physicaltherapy applications.

As FIG. 2 shows, cushion 152 is positioned on seat interface 157 nearthe end of seat interface 157 proximate rear support structure 105. Insome examples, cushion 152 simply provides users with a comfort whenseated to operate device 100. In other examples, however, cushion 152may be shaped and sized to better conform to users' figures. Further,cushion 152 may be used to adjust users' vertical positions. Thesefeatures may support users as they use device 100, thereby allowingdevice 100 to operate more effectively in physical therapy applications.

As FIG. 1 illustrates, seat interface 157 is slidingly fit on arm 130 toslidingly support seat 150 on arm 130. As FIG. 1 shows, seat interface157 defines two flanges, flange 158 and flange 159, each disposed on anopposite side of arm 130 when seat interface 157 is fitted thereon. AsFIG. 1 shows, seat interface 157 additionally defines a top surface 160,a pair of forward seat attachment bores 162 opposing one another onflange 158 and flange 159, and a pair of rear seat attachment bores 164similarly opposing one another on flange 158 and flange 159.

As FIG. 3 shows, seat interface 157 may be slid between seatingpositions wherein forward seat attachment bores 162 and rear seatattachment bores 164 are each aligned with seat positioning bores 136 onarm 130. When in position, a forward seat pin 161 is inserted throughforward seat attachment bores 162 and a selected seat positioning bore136. Likewise, a rear seat pin 163 is inserted through rear seatattachment bores 164 and another selected seat positioning bore 136. Insome examples, only one seat pin may be inserted to retain seat 150 at asubstantially fixed longitudinal position along arm 130 while allowingseat 150 to rotate about the seat pin. The two pin configuration shownin FIG. 2 restricts seat 150 from so rotating.

As FIGS. 4 and 5 show, seat interface 157 includes a post interface 165extending vertically from top surface 160. As FIG. 4 shows, postinterface 165 includes a pair of opposing flanges, flange 167 and flange168, extending vertically from seat interface 157. As FIG. 4 shows, postinterface 165 defines three opposed pairs of post positioning bores 171positioned on the opposing flanges.

As FIG. 4 shows, post 180 is fitted between post interface 165'sopposing flanges, flange 167 and flange 168. As FIG. 4 illustrates, post180 defines a post attachment bore 181 positioned to align with postpositioning bores 171 of post interface 165. As FIG. 4 shows, post 180additionally defines a plurality of knee saddle positioning bores 182spaced along its length. As FIG. 4 illustrates, post 180 includes atotal of five knee saddle positioning bores 182, useful to support awide range users' of different sizes. The precise selection of five isnot necessary, but was found to be a particularly suitable amount forsupporting a large number of potential users for various heights. Inparticular, knee saddles positioning bores proximate arm 130 adaptdevice 100 for use with shorter individuals, whereas knee saddlepositioning bores 182 distal arm 130 adapt device 100 for use withtaller individuals. The five bore configuration illustrated in FIG. 4may, in some designs, provides sufficient adjustability to supportphysical therapy users ranging in height from four feet and ten inchestall to six feet and seven inches tall.

As FIG. 4 shows, post 180 defines a columnar member extending away frompost interface 165 configured to adjustably space knee saddle 185 fromarm 130. Further, post 180 is configured to connect to post interface165 at a post position by removably routing a post attachment pin 183through post attachment bore 181 and a selected post positioning bore171. As FIG. 4 illustrates, post 180 may be connected at a plurality ofpost positions, each one defined by a position in which post attachmentbore 181 is aligned with a selected post positioning bore 171. Adjustingthe post position may allow device 100 to support users of differentshapes and sizes in proper ergonomic position. Additionally oralternatively, adjusting the post position may allow device 100 tomodify physical therapy exercises. When so connected, post 180 is ableto rotate about a post pivot centered on post attachment pin 183. Thisallows knee saddle 185 to ergonomically adjust position as a userperforms physical therapy exercises with device 100.

As FIG. 4 illustrates, post 180 is configured to be slidingly receivedwithin knee saddle 185.

As FIG. 4 shows, knee saddle 185 is connected to the arm via post 180.As FIG. 4 shows, knee saddle 185 includes a knee saddle interface 186, afirst knee support 190, a first knee cushion 191, a second knee support192, and a second knee cushion 193. Knee saddle 185 is positioned at aheight selected to rest on a user's knee when the user is seated in theseat and having her feet positioned on foot rest 177. As FIG. 4illustrates, knee saddle 185 may be adjusted along post 180 to adjustthe distance between the knee supports and foot rest 177, allowingdevice 100 to be adjusted to ergonomically support users with a varietyof body shapes.

Knee saddle 185 is, in the illustrated example, spaced from seat 150 ata distance of approximately 17 inches. As FIG. 4 illustrates, kneesaddle 185 is detachably connected to seat interface 157. User maydetach and reattach knee saddle 185 at a plurality of knee saddlespacings, each defined in the illustrated example by post positioningbores 171, to position knee saddle 185 at a desired horizontal positionalong arm 130. In some examples, the desired horizontal position may bea position substantially horizontally aligned with foot rest 177. Forexample, knee saddle 185's spacing from seat 150 may be adjusted byattaching post 180 at selected post positioning bores 171. Some examplesmay include additional or alternative post positioning bores 171positioned on flanges that extend further along seat interface 157 thanflange 158 and flange 159. In other examples, seat interfaces may beshorter to retain knee saddles in appropriate positions while increasingthe distance between seats and arm pivots.

As FIG. 4 shows, knee saddle interface 186 defines a hollow columnarmember extending away from first knee support 190 and second kneesupport 192. As FIG. 4 shows, knee saddle interface 186 is configured toslidingly receive post 180 in its interior. This allows users to adjustthe extent to which knee saddle 185 is spaced from arm 130. Knee saddleinterface 186 defines a knee saddle attachment bore 187 positioned toalign with knee saddle positioning bores 182 as knee saddle interface186 is slid on post 180. As FIG. 4 shows, knee saddle 185 may be lockedinto a selected knee saddle position by removably routing a knee saddlepin 188 through knee saddle attachment bore 187 and a selected kneesaddle positioning bore 182. Knee saddle 185 may be locked in to avariety of knee saddle positions, each one defined by a point at whichknee saddle attachment bore 187 is aligned with a knee saddlepositioning bore 182. Adjusting knee saddle 185 may adapt device 100 toergonomically support a variety of users for physical therapyapplications.

As FIG. 4 shows, first knee support 190 and second knee support 192extend from knee saddle interface 186 substantially parallel to supportsurface 101 to rest on users' knees when they are seated in seat 150 andhave their feet positioned on foot rest 177. As FIG. 4 illustrates,first knee cushion 191 and second knee cushion 193 are positioned aroundeach knee support. In performing physical therapy exercises, usersoppose the force applied to arm 130 as a result of their weight byengaging their knees with first knee support 190) and second kneesupport 192 and driving their knees upward to drive arm 130) to a raisedposition. The cushions shown in FIG. 4 provide additional comfort andergonomic support, but are not required.

As FIG. 7 illustrates, lower bar 115 defines a metallic, rigid barextending between front support structure 195 and rear support structure105. As FIG. 7 illustrates, lower bar 115 defines a plurality of footrest positioning bores 117 spaced along its length proximate frontsupport structure 195.

As FIG. 7 shows, foot rest 177 is slidingly supported on lower bar 115.As FIG. 7 illustrates, foot rest 177 includes a foot rest interface 178slidingly engaged with lower bar 115, a foot rest support post 179. AsFIG. 1 illustrates, foot rest 177 additionally includes a foot restsupport member 176. In some examples, foot rest 177 may be substantiallyhorizontally aligned with knee saddle 185, but this is not specificallyrequired. Foot rest 177 is configured to support a forward portion of auser's foot when user is seated in seat 150; that is, user's typicallysupport a portion of the bottom of their feet proximate their toes onfoot rest 177 when using device 100. This positions users' feetappropriately for driving arm 130. Users may, of course, position theirfeet in other manners to adjust the physical therapy technique beingperformed.

As FIG. 7 illustrates, foot rest interface 178 includes a foot restattachment bore 175 positioned to align with foot rest positioning bores117 at a plurality of foot rest positions. As FIG. 7 illustrates, footrest interface 178 allows foot rest 177 to slide between a rearward footrest position illustrated in solid lines and a forward foot restposition illustrated in phantom lines. As FIG. 7 shows, a foot rest pin174 may be inserted through foot rest attachment bore 175 and a selectedfoot rest positioning bore 117 to lock foot rest 177 in a selected footrest position.

As FIG. 7 illustrates, foot rest support post 179 extends from foot restinterface 178 to support foot rest support member 176 at a positionspaced from lower bar 115. As FIG. 7 shows, foot rest support post 179is angled toward seat 150; this is not required, and this disclosurecontemplates foot rest support posts that extend toward seat,substantially vertically, and away from seat 150.

As FIG. 7 shows, foot rest support member 176 is supported on foot restsupport post 179 and extends substantially transverse to lower bar 115.By extending transverse to lower bar 115, foot rest support member 176provide foot rest support surfaces 173 positioned for a user tosubstantially ergonomically support each of her legs and feet onopposite sides of arm 130. As FIG. 7 illustrates, foot rest supportsurfaces 173 are substantially aligned with foot rest support post 179and angled toward seat 150. In some examples, however, foot rest supportmember 176 may be angled from foot rest support post 179. For example,some examples may include foot rest support post 179 angled away fromseat 150 and foot rest support member 176 angled from foot rest supportpost 179 to direct foot rest support surfaces 173 toward seat 150.

Turning to FIG. 8, a second example of a physical therapy device, device200, will now be described. Device 200 includes many similar oridentical features to device 100 combined in unique and distinct ways.Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of device 200 will not beredundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between device 100 anddevice 200 will be described in detail and the reader should referencethe discussion above for features substantially similar between the twodevices.

As FIG. 8 illustrates, device 200 is configured to accommodatesubstantially similar physical therapy techniques as device 100. Device200, however, includes additional features that allow users to moreprecisely tune device 200 to accommodate specific users andapplications.

For example, device 200 includes an arm 230 supported on a rear supportstructure 205 and spaced from a supporting surface 201. Similar to arm130, arm 230 is configured to rotate about an arm pivot 220 supported onrear support structure 205. Arm 230 additionally includes a plurality ofpositioning bores 282 spaced along its length. As FIG. 8 illustrates,arm 230 includes a more extensive set of positioning bores than arm 130;as a result, each of the adjustable elements attached to arm 230) may beadjusted to a wide range of positions.

As FIG. 8 shows, arm 230 extends from a swing end 234 to a biased end232. As FIG. 8 shows, arm 230 extends beyond rear support structure 205,defining an arm biasing portion 231 biased end 232 on a biasing side 218of arm pivot 220. As FIG. 8 illustrates, swing end 234 is positioned ona seat side 219 of arm pivot 220. As FIG. 8 shows, As FIG. 8illustrates, device 200 additionally includes a lower bar 215 similarlyextending to a lower bar biasing portion 222 positioned beyond rearsupport structure 205. As FIG. 8 illustrates, device 200 includes an armbiasing support 298 adjustably connected to arm 230 proximate biased end232. As FIG. 8 illustrates, arm biasing support 298's position on arm231) is adjustable using a pin, positioning bore, and attachment bore,similar to many aforementioned adjustable features. A similar lower barbiasing support 221 is similarly connected to lower bar 115 on lower barbiasing portion 222 and substantially aligned with arm 230. As FIG. 8illustrates, arm biasing support 298 and arm biasing support 298 areconfigured to retain a biasing member configured to bias swing end 234of arm 230 toward a raised position.

As FIG. 8 shows, biased end 232 allows users to place counter-weights orbiasing members that may counteract or augment the arm-swingingtechniques often performed with device 100. As a result, device 200allows users to more flexibility in tuning the amount of effort requiredraise swing end 234 of arm 230 when performing physical therapytechniques.

For example, device 200 includes a biasing member 207 defining a coilconnected between arm biasing support 298 and lower bar biasing support221. Biasing member 207 is configured to bias swing end 234 toward araised configuration, thereby making it easier for users to raise swingend 234 of arm 230 when performing physical therapy techniques.

Although device 200 includes a biasing member, this example specificallyconsiders additionally or alternatively attaching counterweightsproximate to arm 230 on biasing side 218 of rear support structure 205;for example, weights could be attached to arm biasing support 298.

As FIG. 8 illustrates, arm pivot 220 is adjustably connected to arm 230,unlike device 100's static configuration. As FIG. 8 shows, rear supportstructure 205 defines a support pivot connection point 299 including apair of pivot support flanges 208, each pivot support flange 208defining a support pivot bore 209.

As FIG. 8 illustrates, a connector 211 detachably connects arm 230 torear support structure 205 at an arm pivot connection point and asupport pivot connection point. More specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates anexample wherein connector 211 defines a pivot pin, and the pivot pin isrouted through the support pivot bores 209 and an arm pivot bore, inthis case a selected arm positioning bore 282 proximate rear supportstructure 205. In this example, the support pivot connection pointdefines support pivot bores 209, whereas the arm pivot connection pointdefines a selected arm positioning bore 282. As FIG. 8 shows, a user canselect a selected arm connection pivot point from the plurality of armpositioning bores 282. As FIG. 8 illustrates, arm 231) may be detachedand connected at different points along its length to adjust the pointat which it pivots about rear support structure 205. This allows greaterflexibility in specifically tuning device 200 for particular physicaltherapy applications and techniques. As FIG. 8 shows, rear supportstructure 205 defines an arm rotating space 206 that allows arm 230 torotate with the full range of motion necessary for physical therapytechniques while permitting the aforementioned adjustability.

As FIG. 8 illustrates, lower bar 215 additionally includes a greaternumber of lower bar positioning bores 216 spaced along its lengthcompared to lower bar 115. This provides users with greater freedom inadjustably connecting elements at various positions along lower bar 215.

Further, as FIG. 8 shows, device 200 includes a seat interface 237 and afoot rest 277 that a plurality of additional attachment bores comparedto those of device 100. As a result, device 200 provides users with evengreater flexibility in positioning them along arm 231) and lower bar215, respectively.

Disclosed devices, including device 100 or device 200 may be configuredto adjust the amount of force required to lift their arms. By adjustingthis force, users may adjust the level of impact of exercises using thedevices. By adjusting exercises' level of impact, disclosed devices maybe adjusted to enable exercises that are suitable for physical therapyapplications, rather than strength training exercises.

For instance, the amount of force required to raise an arm while a useris seated may, in some examples, be expressed with the followingequation:

$\begin{matrix}{{{Force}\mspace{14mu} {to}\mspace{14mu} {Drive}\mspace{14mu} {Arm}} = \frac{( {( {F_{b}*Z^{\prime}} ) + ( {W + Z} )} )}{( {Z + Y} )}} & {{Forumla}\mspace{14mu} I}\end{matrix}$

Wherein:

-   -   W=weight of the user;    -   F_(b)=biasing force    -   Z=distance between the seat and the arm pivot    -   Z′=distance between the biasing member and the arm pivot    -   Y=distance between the seat and the foot rest

Table I, provided below, shows example results of the formula providedabove where no biasing member is used. Table I illustrates the forcesusers must impart to drive arms given their weight and seat positions.Table I assumes that the seat and knee saddle are horizontally spacedfrom one another at a distance of 17 inches, though this disclosurespecifically considers seats and knee saddles spaced by differentlengths. Table I is provided below:

TABLE 1 Seat Position (given as inches from arm pivot) Weight (inpounds) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 100 6 11 1519 23 26 29 32 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 48 50 51 53 54 110 6 12 17 21 25 2932 35 38 41 43 46 48 50 52 53 55 57 58 59 120 7 13 18 23 27 31 35 38 4244 47 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 63 65 130 7 14 20 25 30 34 38 42 45 48 51 5456 59 61 63 65 67 69 70 140 8 15 21 27 32 37 41 45 48 52 55 58 61 63 6668 70 72 74 76 150 8 16 23 29 34 39 44 48 52 56 59 62 65 68 70 73 75 7779 81 160 9 17 24 30 36 42 47 51 55 59 63 66 69 72 75 78 80 82 84 86 1709 18 26 32 39 44 50 54 59 63 67 70 74 77 80 82 85 87 90 92 180 10 19 2734 41 47 53 58 62 67 71 74 78 81 84 87 90 93 95 97 190 11 20 29 36 43 5055 61 66 70 75 79 82 86 89 92 95 98 100 103 200 11 21 30 38 45 52 58 6469 74 79 83 87 90 94 97 100 103 106 108 210 12 22 32 40 48 55 61 67 7378 83 87 91 95 98 102 105 108 111 114 220 12 23 33 42 50 57 64 70 76 8186 91 95 99 103 107 110 113 116 119 230 13 24 35 44 52 60 67 74 80 85 9095 100 104 108 112 115 118 121 124 240 13 25 36 46 55 63 70 77 83 89 9499 104 108 113 116 120 123 127 130 250 14 26 38 48 57 65 73 80 87 93 98103 108 113 117 121 125 129 132 135 260 14 27 39 50 59 68 76 83 90 96102 108 113 117 122 126 130 134 137 141 270 15 28 41 51 61 70 79 86 93100 106 112 117 122 127 131 135 139 143 146 280 16 29 42 53 64 73 82 9097 104 110 116 121 126 131 136 140 144 148 151 290 16 31 44 55 66 76 8593 100 107 114 120 126 131 136 141 145 149 153 157 300 17 32 45 57 68 7888 96 104 111 118 124 130 135 141 145 150 154 158 162 310 17 33 47 59 7081 90 99 107 115 122 128 134 140 145 150 155 159 164 168 320 18 34 48 6173 83 93 102 111 119 126 132 139 145 150 155 160 165 169 173 330 18 3550 63 75 86 96 106 114 122 130 137 143 149 155 160 165 170 174 178 34019 36 51 65 77 89 99 109 118 126 134 141 147 154 159 165 170 175 179 184350 19 37 53 67 80 91 102 112 121 130 138 145 152 158 164 170 175 180185 189

Table II, provided below, shows example results of the formula providedabove in a device including a biasing member biasing with 25 pounds offorce positioned 8 inches from the arm pivot. The negative values shownin Table II reflect situations where the users' weight producesinsufficient weight to counteract the biasing member and drive the armdownward. Table II is otherwise similar to Table I. Table II is providedbelow:

TABLE II Seat Position (given as inches from arm pivot) Weight (inpounds) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 100 −6 0 5 1014 17 21 24 27 30 32 34 37 39 41 42 44 46 47 49 110 −5 1 7 11 16 20 2427 30 33 36 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 54 120 −4 2 8 13 18 23 27 30 34 3740 43 45 48 50 52 54 56 58 59 130 −4 3 10 15 20 25 30 34 37 41 44 47 5052 55 57 59 61 63 65 140 −3 4 11 17 23 28 33 37 41 44 48 51 54 57 59 6264 66 68 70 150 −3 5 13 19 25 30 35 40 44 48 52 55 58 61 64 67 69 71 7476 160 −2 6 14 21 27 33 38 43 48 52 56 59 63 66 69 72 74 77 79 81 170 −27 16 23 30 36 41 46 51 56 60 63 67 70 73 76 79 82 84 86 180 −1 8 17 2532 38 44 50 55 59 64 68 71 75 78 81 84 87 89 92 190 −1 9 19 27 34 41 4753 58 63 68 72 76 79 83 86 89 92 95 97 200 0 11 20 29 36 43 50 56 62 6771 76 80 84 88 91 94 97 100 103 210 1 12 22 30 39 46 53 59 65 70 75 8084 88 92 96 99 102 105 108 220 1 13 23 32 41 49 56 62 68 74 79 84 89 9397 101 104 107 111 114 230 2 14 25 34 43 51 59 66 72 78 83 88 93 97 102105 109 113 116 119 240 2 15 26 36 45 54 62 69 75 81 87 92 97 102 106110 114 118 121 124 250 3 16 28 38 48 57 65 72 79 85 91 97 102 106 111115 119 123 126 130 260 3 17 29 40 50 59 68 75 82 89 95 101 106 111 116120 124 128 132 135 270 4 18 31 42 52 62 70 78 86 93 99 105 110 115 120125 129 133 137 141 280 4 19 32 44 55 64 73 82 89 96 103 109 115 120 125130 134 138 142 146 290 5 20 34 46 57 67 76 85 93 100 107 113 119 125130 135 139 143 148 151 300 6 21 35 48 59 70 79 88 96 104 111 117 123129 134 139 144 149 153 157 310 6 22 37 50 61 72 82 91 100 107 115 121128 134 139 144 149 154 158 162 320 7 23 38 51 64 75 85 94 103 111 119126 132 138 144 149 154 159 163 168 330 7 24 40 53 66 77 88 98 107 115123 130 136 143 148 154 159 164 169 173 340 8 25 41 55 68 80 91 101 110119 126 134 141 147 153 159 164 169 174 178 350 8 26 43 57 70 83 94 104113 122 130 138 145 152 158 164 169 174 179 184

Although the tables illustrate seat positions spaced in one inchincrements, this is not specifically required. Because seat interfacesare slidingly supported on arms, seats may be positioned at any positionon arms. For example, As Tables I and II illustrate, disclosed devicesallow users to precisely adapt devices for impact levels appropriate forphysical therapy applications. For most individuals of normal health,positioning a seat in one of seat positions 17, 18, 19, and 20 shownabove will apply an appropriate amount of a user's weight to oppose theuser's lifting action. As a result, in many cases, seat positions 17,18, 19, and 20, as illustrated in both Tables I and II, may beparticularly well adapted for physical therapy contexts. Adjustingtoward or away from these positions, however, may be desirable forheavier or lighter than average users, as well as users that are talleror shorter than average.

Some examples may include locking mechanisms that vary from the pin andbore examples described above; such examples may allow users to moreprecisely set the distance between the seat and the arm pivot. Likewise,pin-and-bore based seat positioning systems are not required to bespaced at even, one-inch increments. For example, various devices mayimplement a alternative bore location, allowing users to select and usea device with bore spacings specifically tuned for physical therapypurposes given their weight and level of fitness.

Although much of this disclosure focuses the benefit of adjustingdevices for physical therapy purposes, disclosed devices are notspecifically limited to this purpose. For example, the adjustabilitydiscussed in this disclosure may be adapted to strength trainingcontexts as well, including in contexts where a weight is attached toswing ends of arms. For example, as Tables I and II illustrate, movingthe seat away from the arm pivot may increase the amount of weightrequired to drive arms upward; this may be a simple way to augmentstrength training. Further, adjusting the seat position may adjust theangle at which users drive arms upward, which may allow a diverse rangeof strength training exercises.

The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions withindependent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosedin a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustratedabove are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerousvariations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includesall novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of thevarious elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed aboveand inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions.Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “afirst” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claimsshould be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neitherrequiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed tocombinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that arebelieved to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in othercombinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/orproperties may be claimed through amendment of those claims orpresentation of new claims in the present application or in a relatedapplication. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed tothe same invention or a different invention and whether they aredifferent, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims,are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventionsdescribed herein.

1. A physical therapy device, comprising: a vertically extending rearsupport structure; an arm pivot supported by the rear support structureat a position vertically spaced from a supporting surface; an armpivotally supported by the arm pivot, the arm extending horizontallyfrom a pivot end to a swing end distal the arm pivot; a seat resting onthe arm at a distance selected to apply a selected portion of a user'sbodyweight to the swing end of the arm to be supported by the calfmuscles of one or both lower legs of the user when the user is seated inthe seat; a foot rest supported above the supporting surface at a heightselected to support a forward portion of the user's foot when the useris seated in the seat; and a knee saddle attached to the arm, the kneesaddle including a knee support positioned at a height selected to reston the user's knee when seated in the seat; wherein a therapeuticresistance to be supported by the calf muscles of one or both lower legsof the user when the user is seated in the seat consists of acombination of the selected portion of the user's bodyweight, the weightof at least a portion of the arm, and the weight of the knee saddle. 2.The physical therapy device of claim 1, wherein the seat rests on thearm at a distance from the arm pivot selected to require a desired forceto drive the arm based on the user's weight.
 3. The physical therapydevice of claim 1, wherein the seat rests on the arm at seven to teninches from the arm pivot.
 4. The physical therapy device of claim 1,further comprising a front support structure extending from thesupporting surface, the front support structure including an arm lockingbore; wherein the arm includes a locking pin structure slidingly housedat least partially within the arm, the locking pin configured slidinglyfit within the arm locking bore.
 5. The physical therapy device of claim4, wherein the arm includes: a locking pin access opening extendingalong the length of the arm for at least a portion of its length; and alocking pin bore that opens substantially away from the arm pivot; andwherein the locking pin structure defines: a forward portion extendingalong the length of the arm; and an accessible portion extending throughthe locking pin access opening; wherein the locking pin structure isconfigured to slide between a locked position, wherein the forwardportion of the locking pin extends through the locking pin bore and thearm locking bore, and an unlocked position, wherein the forward portionis fully housed within the arm.
 6. The physical therapy device of claim1, wherein the seat includes a seat interface configured to slidinglysupport the seat on the arm.
 7. The physical therapy device of claim 6,wherein the knee saddle is detachably connected to the seat interface,the knee saddle being horizontally spaced from the seat at a distanceselected to substantially horizontally align the knee saddle with thefoot rest.
 8. The physical therapy device of claim 7, further comprisinga post extending between the knee saddle and the arm, wherein the kneesaddle is detachably connected to the post at a selected distance fromthe arm.
 9. The physical therapy device of claim 8, further comprising:a post interface attached to the seat interface, the post interfaceincluding a plurality of post positioning bores spaced along the lengthof the arm; a post attachment bore extending through the post distal theknee saddle; and a post attachment pin removably routed through the postattachment bore and a selected post positioning bore to define a postpivot around which the post may rotate.
 10. The physical therapy deviceof claim 8, further comprising one or more knee saddle positioning boresspaced along the length of the post; wherein the knee saddle includes aknee saddle interface slidingly engaged with the post, the knee saddleinterface: configured to slide along the length of the post to adjustthe position of the knee saddle relative the user's knee; and defining aknee saddle attachment bore; and a knee saddle pin removably routedthrough a selected knee saddle positioning bore and the knee saddleattachment bore.
 11. The physical therapy device of claim 6, wherein theseat interface is configured to slide between a plurality of seatpositions along the length of the arm.
 12. The physical therapy deviceof claim 11, wherein: the arm includes one or more seat positioningbores along the length of the arm; and the seat interface includes aseat attachment bore positioned to align with a seat positioning bore ateach seat position; and further comprising a seat pin removably routedthrough a selected seat positioning bore and the seat attachment borewhen the seat interface is positioned at a selected seat position. 13.The physical therapy device of claim 12, wherein: the seat attachmentbore is positioned proximate the swing end of the arm; the seatinterface includes a rear seat attachment bore proximate the pivot endof the arm, the rear seat attachment bore positioned to positioned toalign with a seat positioning bore at each seat position; furthercomprising a rear seat pin removably routed through a selected seatpositioning bore and the rear seat attachment bore when the seatinterface is positioned at a selected seat position.
 14. The physicaltherapy device of claim 1, further comprising a lower bar extending fromthe rear support structure proximate the support surface andsubstantially aligned with the arm.
 15. The physical therapy device ofclaim 14, wherein: the lower bar extends to a lower bar biasing portionextending on the side of the rear support structure opposite the swingend of the arm; and the arm defines an arm biasing portion on the sideof the rear support opposite the swing end of the arm; and furthercomprising a biasing member connected between the arm biasing portionand the lower bar biasing portion.
 16. The physical therapy device ofclaim 14, wherein: the lower bar includes a plurality of foot restpositioning bores spaced along its length; and the foot rest includes afoot rest interface slidingly supported on the lower bar, the foot restinterface: configured to slide along the length of the lower bar toadjust the position of the foot rest relative the seat; and including afoot rest attachment bore; and further comprising a foot rest pinremovably routed through a selected foot rest positioning bore and thefoot rest attachment bore.
 17. The physical therapy device of claim 1,wherein the foot rest defines a support surface angled to partially facethe seat.
 18. A physical therapy device, comprising: a verticallyextending rear support structure, the rear support structure defining arear support column defining a support pivot connection point spacedfrom a supporting surface; an arm extending horizontally from a pivotend proximate the rear support to a swing end distal the pivot end, thearm defining one or more arm pivot connection points spaced along thelength of the arm; a connector connecting arm to the rear support columnat a selected arm pivot connection point; a seat resting on the arm; afoot rest supported above the supporting surface at a height selected tosupport a forward portion of a user's foot when the user is seated inthe seat; and a knee saddle connected to the arm at a height selected torest on the user's knee when seated in the seat.
 19. The physicaltherapy device of claim 18, wherein: the support pivot connection pointincludes a support pivot bore; each of the arm pivot connection pointsinclude an arm pivot bore; and the connector defines a pivot pin routedthrough the support pivot bore and a selected arm pivot bore.
 20. Aphysical therapy device, comprising: a vertically extending rear supportstructure; an arm pivot supported at a position vertically spaced from asupporting surface; an arm extending horizontally from a biased end on abiasing side of the arm pivot to a swing end on a seat side of the armpivot opposite the biasing side; a seat resting on the arm at a distanceselected to apply a portion of a user's bodyweight to the swing end ofthe arm when the user is seated in the seat; a foot rest supported abovethe supporting surface at a height selected to support a forward portionof the user's foot when the user is seated in the seat; a knee saddleconnected to the arm at a height selected to rest on the user's kneewhen seated in the seat; and a biasing member connected to arm proximatethe biasing end and a biasing support positioned below the arm.